Lan Cao, The Lotus and the Storm in conversation with Andrew Lam Asia Society program at Mechanics Institute Library, SF

Lan Cao, though adopted at age 6, by American colonel and growing up in Avon, Ct, and given an education at Mt Holyoke and then Yale University,who now teaches law,  is defiant about the loss of So Vietnam, and blames the Americans, who enter and exit countries without a thought about its inhabitants.  Her words.  Lam clearly did not believe in her harboring the embittered thoughts of what he sees only as an elderly generation who cannot let go of their memories of the war.  Lan Cao says the memories required her to write.  How much can a six year old recall?  Of course, that is the fictive invention, gleaned from historical facts.  She said writing the novel was not a "pleasant" experience but that it was required of her.  Her previous book is MONKEY BRIDGE. 

The books.  Lan Cao read chapter which is in sample kindle download about a young American soldier who entertains her sister and her self  Fictionalized personal history.  

 PEN Award Winning author Andrew Lam and Lan Cao